Forklift Truck Classification
For less than a century, the forklift truck has been working its magic. Even today, this particular type of equipment is found in every warehouse operation throughout the globe.
The first forklifts were made because of manpower shortages which were caused by World War I. Businesses like Clark and Yale & Town introduced the material handling machine which utilized powered lift tractors inside their factories. In the year 1918, Clark saw the potential for these equipment and began selling them.
From a basic tractor with an attachment, the forklift design evolved during the 1920s, to a dedicated machine equipped with a vertical lifting mast. The forklift developed and became more sophisticated with the Second World War. The forklift played a vital part during this time in the handling of materials for various armies all over the world. It was also at this time that the introduction of the wooden pallet solidified the need for the forklift within the material handling business.
Once World War II ended, the forklift gained momentum and continued to develop. During the 1950s, forklifts which utilize batteries made an appearance. There were other more specialized forklift models introduced such as the Narrow Aisle Reach truck. This kind was made by the Raymond Corporation. During the 1960s and 1970s, improvements were made in the electronic controls area. This made forklifts much more versatile and businesses were able to look at warehouse efficiency.
These days, the forklift could be powered by various fuel options like electric battery, diesel, gasoline, CNG or compressed natural gas, LPG or liquid propane gas. The first hybrid forklift was developed by Mitsubishi. It currently operates on diesel battery and lithium ion. This particular model utilizes thirty nine percent less fuel than existing models. Statistics show that its carbon dioxide emissions are roughly 14.6 tons less than those types of forklifts that are powered by IC or internal combustion engines.